As Lincoln Road's rental prices have soared, many local retailers have opted out. Not Genius Jones.

The children's specialty retailer, which opened its original site at 1661 Michigan Ave. off Lincoln in January 2003, has signed a 10-year lease in the 1111 Lincoln Rd. building, according to GJ owner Daniel Kron.

Genius Jones will join high-end retailers Nespresso, Taschen Art Books and Journelle Lingerie in the complex designed by famed architectural firm Herzog de Meuron, which also designed Beijing National Stadium. Currently under construction, the project is scheduled to open Nov. 11, 2009.

It will be store No. 4 for Genius Jones, adding to sites in Miami's Design District, which opened in November 2005 and Boca Raton's Mizner Park, opening next month. Kron said he'll keep the Michigan Avenue location, possibly converting it into a stroller store.

Inc. Magazine recently named Genius Jones one of the fastest growing private companies in America in 2008. In its annual 5000 List, the publication ranked GJ 46th among the top 100 privately held retailers nationwide. Rankings were based on revenue growth the previous three years, during which Genius Jones grew by more than 300 percent.

Kron, 53, attributes the stores' success to "a unique product mix that is evenly balanced between children's clothing, furniture, home accessories, strollers, toys and books."

He added: "South Florida is a great market for children and families."

Originally from Philadelphia, Kron worked as a fashion photographer in New York for 18 years and also ran a failed women's sports website. He and his wife, Geane Brito, moved to Miami Beach from New York City in 2000.

The idea for Genius Jones was born shortly after the birth of the couple's first child, Isadora, now 8. They also have a 5-year-old son, Magnus.

"I've been a design freak all my life -- it's in my genes," said Kron, the son of award-winning journalist Joan Kron.

"Genius Jones is a design store for kids, not a baby store."

As for 1111 Lincoln Rd., Kron said the rent is ''ridiculous" -- more than $100 per foot -- but added it's worthwhile "to be located in a world-class building that will attract international attention."

The building's developer, Miami Beach resident Robert Wennett, said it will have 40,000 feet of retail, including two restaurants (he declined to name); four condos (2,500 feet each), 110,000 feet of office space ("100-percent leased") plus 300 parking spaces.

To learn more, go to www.1111lincolnroad.com. For information about Genius Jones, go to www.geniusjones.com.